The “Mariupol Process” by Vdovychenko in the context of archetypal criticism

Abstract

The article analyzes the novel by the modern Ukrainian writer Halyna Vdovychenko – “The Mariupol process” (2015). This work is one of the first ones in Ukrainian literature dedicated to the events in eastern Ukraine. The work is the winner of the International competition “Coronation of the word” in the nomination “Grand Coronation of the word – 2015” (festival among the winners of the first prizes for 15 years of the competition). The writer considers the problem of military conflict in the field of private relations in the universal dimension. The work analyzes the issue in the context of archetypal criticism. The archetype of the House is singled out as a plot-creating element, which is fundamental in the human consciousness among the images-concepts created by man. This approach expands the reception of the novel, outlines one of the main vectors of its perception more clearly, universalizes the issue, fills with optimism about resolving the military conflict in Donbas. An ordinary house in the East of Ukraine near Mariupol is generalized in the novel to an image-symbol and becomes a kind of material manifestation of the archetype of the House. The floor destroyed by the fungus in one of his rooms is still a harbinger of the destruction of the basics of life, because the House for Ukrainians symbolizes protection, comfort, and stability. Its destruction deprives man of the first principle, makes him a rolling field. Halyna Vdovychenko presents the events of 2014 through a new dimension of the story about the rescue of the hero by a girl from the enemy camp known from ancient myths (Theseus – Ariadne, Jason – Medea, etc). Defender of the Houseland Roman from Lviv was seriously wounded and taken prisoner by militants in a village near Mariupol. He was saved from execution and torture by a local girl, a “separatist” Olha. They work hard together to destroy the fungus and save the house from destruction. Awareness of the situation through the archetype of the House allows optimizing the reception of the novel, to fill with hope for positive changes in Ukraine in the near future.